Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced a new set of guidelines today for the controversial digital wallet scheme, under which all Thais who are 16 or older, who have a monthly income of less than Bt70,000 and bank deposits not exceeding Bt500,000, will be eligible for the 10,000 baht one-time cash benefit, expected to be distributed next May.
He said that the scheme will add 10,000 baht into the pockets of about 50 million Thais, for spending on consumer goods, which will help stimulate the economy and raise the gross domestic product (GDP).
The prime minister also explained the source of the funding for the scheme, saying that it will be from loans, to be procured by the government, with the issuance of a loan bill, to be vetted by the Council of State, approved by the cabinet and sent for debate in parliament, to ensure that the scheme is legitimate. He added that the loan will…
